This year’s Dr.Rajkumar birthday has special significance but it was celebrated with not much of fanfare. After 108 days of stay in the clutches of dreaded smuggler, killer Veerappan the evergreen hero of Kannada cinema and highly loving personality Dr.Rajkumar returned safely and obviously it was considered as rebirth to the thespian.

Known for simplicity and high thinking Dr.Rajkumar preferred to make it a simple birthday. The day 24th began for Dr.Rajkumar with a special Pooja at Iskcon Krishna Temple in Rajajinagar and then started the rain of visitors. The fans thronging in front of his residence in Sadashivnagar preferred to have a look at Dr.Rajkumar closely. Dr.Raj obliged when he came to cut the birthday cake.

The four feet ‘Titanic’ ship shape cake was placed before Dr.Rajkumar by the Dakshina Bangalore Dr.Rajkumar Abimanigala Sangha around 10.30 am. ‘Bhakta Ambarishanige 73rd birthday was written on the cake.

Dr.Rajkumar cut the birthday cake and was fed in to his mouth by his wife Smt.Parvathamma and sons and daughters. At the time of ‘Annavru’ cutting the cake the fans surrounded on all direction and climbed the nearby trees to have a look at the celebration.

The grand sons and daughters of Dr.Rajkumar took an autograph of favorite ‘Thaata’.

In his short and sweet address Dr.Rajkumar hoped that the blessings of ‘Sri Rajarajeswari would be bestowed on everyone’. I am not used to this kind of celebration of birthday. This culture started first during the shooting spots when I was in Chennai recalled Dr.Rajkumar.

Later speaking to media persons the Raj couple hoped to start ‘Bhakta Ambarisha’ as soon as possible. The films like ‘Chiguridha Kanasu’ for Shivrajkumar and a film for Raghavendra and Puneet are also in the pipeline it was learnt.

Dr.Rajkumar described that he has not yet completely come out of the keen pain. I took part with all courage despite of knee pain for ‘Shabdavedi’ but at the later stages of shooting the pain developed strongly. Now I don’t want to happen like this. I will get myself cured first and then take up ‘Bhakta Ambarisha’ Dr.Rajkumar promised.

While Karnataka Chief Minister S.M.Krishna sent a bouquet through a messenger, the notable presence was that of Dr.Bhanu, who played a key role in bringing back Dr.Rajkumar from Veerappan clutches.